IDF moves troops into Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor as DM Katz issues ‘final warning’ before civilian evacuations

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began “targeted ground activities” in the central Gaza Strip, the military said Tuesday after Palestinian sources reported that tanks and ground troops started reoccupying the largely vacated Netzarim Corridor.

The IDF said its troops were operating “to expand the security zone and to create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. As part of the ground activities, the troops expanded their control further to the center of the Netzarim Corridor.”

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement warning Gazans: “The evacuation of the population from combat zones will soon begin again.”

The Netzarim Corridor had been created to cut the Gaza Strip in two, and the army had largely evacuated the northern part of civilians before withdrawing from the corridor as part of the ceasefire deal’s terms.

The IDF also announced the Golani Brigade would be deployed in the south and “will remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip.”

On the second day since the fighting resumed, the IDF said it “struck dozens of terrorists, terror infrastructure sites, and launching areas” overnight. Among the targets was “the command center of Hamas' Daraj Tuffah battalion, which was used to plan attacks on Israeli civilians and IDF troops,” the military said.

Later on Wednesday, the IDF said that “extensive strikes throughout the Gaza Strip” continued, targeting, among others, “a vehicle with two Hamas terrorists in southern Gaza, terror infrastructure, a surveillance post, and additional terrorists.”

During these operations, the IDF and the domestic intelligence service Shin Bet killed several high-ranking Hamas officials.

After killing six terrorists in the first wave of strikes, the IDF announced Wednesday it had killed Yasser Muhammad Harb Musa and confirmed the death of Muhammad Al-Jamasi.

“Alongside his military activities, Musa was responsible for security affairs in Hamas' political bureau and former head of the development office within the organization's executive committee. In his role, Musa was responsible for promoting and directing terrorist activities against Israel. Throughout his years of activity, Musa was closely affiliated with senior leadership members, including Yahya Sinwar,” the IDF stated.

“Additionally, the terrorist Muhammad Al-Jamasi, Head of the Hamas Emergency Committee, was eliminated. Over the years, he held key positions in Hamas’ political bureau and the movement’s leadership. During the war, he played a significant role in Hamas' governing activities in Gaza, including directing terrorist operations against the State of Israel.”

Defense Minister Katz in his statement warned that Israel would soon escalate its operations in Gaza unless Hamas agreed to release the hostages.

“The Air Force strikes against Hamas terrorists were just the first step. It will become much more difficult and you will pay the full price,” he warned, “The evacuation of the population from combat zones will soon begin again.”

“Israel will operate with strength you have not yet seen,” Katz threatened.

“Take the US president’s advice. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open for you, including leaving for other places in the world for those who want to,” he added. “The alternative is absolute destruction.”